USS Escolar Challenge Coin

October 17, 1944 -- 82 Men Lost

A beautiful 1.75 inch brass coin honoring the men of World War II who gave their lives fighting for our country...

The front of the coin honors the USS Escolar SS-294. The back has the following quote:

"To the 374 officers and 3131 men of the Submarine Force who gave their lives in the winning of this war, I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths."

-Vice Admiral C.A. Lockwood, Jr. Commander Submarine Force, 1943 - 1946

About the USS Escolar SS-294...

ESCOLAR (Cmdr. W.J. Millican) departed Pearl Harbor on September 18, 1944, to proceed to Midway to top off with fuel. There she joined CROAKER and PERCH and left on September 23rd to conduct a coordinated patrol (ESCOLAR’s first patrol) in the Yellow Sea. Cmdr. Millican was in command of this coordinated attack group, which was designated “Millican’s Marauders.”

On September 30th, when ESCOLAR was estimated to be about north of the Bonin Islands, the following partial message was received from her: “This from ESCOLAR X attacked with deck gun boat similar to ex- Italian Peter George five OTYI----.” Although no further transmissions have ever been received by bases from ESCOLAR, who was forced to break off the transmission and the engagement with the gunboat at this time, the commanding officer of CROAKER has stated that she suffered no damage and was in frequent communication with PERCH and CROAKER until October 17, 1944.

PERCH reported that on 17 October she had received a message from ESCOLAR stating that she was in position and was heading northeast. Neither PERCH nor CROAKER could raise ESCOLAR by radio after this transmission was received.

Had ESCOLAR left her area on the scheduled date, she would have arrived at Midway about November 13, 1944. All attempts to contact ESCOLAR failed and she was reported on November 27, 1944 as presumed lost. It is assumed that she was lost about October 17th. Information supplied by the Japanese on anti-submarine attacks gives no clue as to her loss, but the Yellow Sea area is though to have been mined. A course line plotted between the two positions given above does not cross any known Japanese mine lies, but positions of mines laid before April 1945 are not definitely located. The known minefields in Tsushima Strait were laid in April 1945. However, there were mines in the general area of ESCOLAR’s predicted position, and the most likely explanation for her end at present is that she detonated a mine.

Would make an excellent addition to your collection or for your favorite sailor! Collect the entire series!

OPTIONAL: Our Air-Tite acrylic cases provide the ultimate long-term protection for your coin. They are made of crystal clear, hard Acrylic and will never yellow over time; the foam rings are made of Volara and both are free of PVC that could damage your coin.